[The nonculturable state in pathogenic bacteria modelled on Salmonella typhimurium: the phenomenon and its genetic...

The data on the influence of mutation in genes, affecting vital functions of a bacterial cell, on the process of transition into the nonculturable state in S. typhimurium are presented. Four genes obtained by the authors have been identified. Mutations in these genes lead disturbances in the formation of S. typhimurium nonculturable forms. The nonculturable forms of salmonellae have been shown to retain their virulent properties and their capacity for recultivation, when inoculated into laboratory animals.